Snow Melting Assembly

ABSTRACT

A snow melting assembly includes a heating unit that may be fluidly coupled to a fluid source thereby facilitating a fluid to be delivered to the heating unit. The heating unit is in thermal communication with the fluid when the fluid is delivered to the heating unit. In this way the heating unit heats the fluid above a pre-determined temperature. A spray unit is provided and the spray unit is beneath ground. The spray unit is fluidly coupled to the heating unit to receive the heated fluid from the heating unit. The spray unit includes a plurality of outlets and each of the outlets extends outwardly from the ground and is positioned adjacent to a traffic area. The spray unit sprays the heated fluid outwardly above the traffic area thereby facilitating the heated fluid to melt falling snow before the falling snow collects on the traffic area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to melting devices and more particularly pertains to a new melting device for inhibiting snow from collecting on a traffic area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a heating unit that may be fluidly coupled to a fluid source thereby facilitating a fluid to be delivered to the heating unit. The heating unit is in thermal communication with the fluid when the fluid is delivered to the heating unit. In this way the heating unit heats the fluid above a pre-determined temperature. A spray unit is provided and the spray unit is beneath ground. The spray unit is fluidly coupled to the heating unit to receive the heated fluid from the heating unit. The spray unit includes a plurality of outlets and each of the outlets extends outwardly from the ground and is positioned adjacent to a traffic area. The spray unit sprays the heated fluid outwardly above the traffic area thereby facilitating the heated fluid to melt falling snow before the falling snow collects on the traffic area.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a snow melting assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front phantom view of a housing of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a back view of a housing of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new melting device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the snow melting assembly 10 generally comprises a heating unit 12 that is fluidly coupled to a fluid source 14 thereby facilitating a fluid 16 to be delivered to the heating unit 12. The fluid 16 may be water and the fluid source 14 may be a municipal water outlet, a garden hose or any other water source. The heating unit 12 is in thermal communication with the fluid 16 when the fluid 16 is delivered to the heating unit 12. In this way the heating heats the fluid 16 above a pre-determined temperature. The pre-determined temperature may be the boiling point of water.

The heating unit 12 comprises a housing 18 that is positioned on a support surface 20 and a processor 22 that is positioned within the housing 18. The processor 22 selectively generates a heat sequence and an off sequence. The support surface 20 may be ground or a floor in a building and the processor 22 may be an electronic processor 22 or the like. A snow sensor 24 is coupled to the housing 18 to detect snow. The snow sensor 24 is electrically coupled to the processor 22 and the processor 22 generates the heat sequence when the snow sensor 24 detects snow. The snow sensor 24 may be an electronic snow sensor 24 or the like. The housing 18 has a top wall and the snow sensor 24 may be positioned on the top wall.

A heat exchanger 26 is provided and the heat exchanger 26 is positioned within the housing 18. The heat exchanger 26 has an input 28 and an output 30; the input 28 is fluidly coupled to the fluid source 14. Thus, the fluid 16 is selectively urged through the heat exchanger 26 and outwardly through the output 30. The heat exchanger 26 may be a fluid heat exchanger 26 of any conventional design.

A temperature sensor 32 is positioned within the housing 18 and the temperature sensor 32 is electrically coupled to the processor 22. The temperature sensor 32 is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger 26 to detect a temperature of the heat exchanger 26. Moreover, the processor 22 selectively generates the off sequence when the temperature sensor 32 detects a temperature of the heat exchanger 26 has exceeded a trigger temperature. The temperature sensor 32 may be an electronic temperature sensor 32 or the like and the trigger temperature may be a temperature ranging between approximately 212.0° Fahrenheit and 230.0° Fahrenheit. Additionally, the processor 22 generates the heat sequence when the temperature sensor 32 senses that the temperature of the fluid 16 has fallen below the trigger temperature.

A shut off valve 34 is provided and the shut off valve 34 is positioned within the housing 18. The shut off valve 34 is electrically coupled to the processor 22 and the shut off valve 34 is fluidly coupled to the output 30 of the heating exchanger. In this way the shut off valve 34 inhibits the fluid 16 from flowing outwardly from the output 30 when the processor 22 generates the off sequence. The shut off valve 34 may be an electrically actuated fluid valve or the like.

A heater 36 is provided and the heater 36 is positioned within the housing 18. The heater 36 is electrically coupled to the processor 22 and the processor 22 turns the heater 36 on when the processor 22 generates the heat sequence. The heater 36 is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger 26 to heat the fluid 16 in the heat exchanger 26. Moreover, the processor 22 turns the heater 36 off when the processor 22 generates the off sequence. The heater 36 may comprise a gas fired furnace, and electrical furnace or any other type of heater 36. Additionally, the heater 36 may include a fan to blow heated air across the heat exchanger 26.

A control 38 is provided and the control 38 coupled to the housing 18 thereby facilitating the control 38 to be manipulated. The control 38 is electrically coupled to the processor 22 such that the control 38 controls operational parameters of the processor 22. The control 38 may include a touch screen, a plurality of buttons or any other control commonly associated with electronic temperature control circuitry. Additionally, the operational parameters may include, but not be limited to, selecting the trigger temperature, a timer and a sensitivity level of the snow sensor 24.

A power supply 40 is provided and the power supply 40 is positioned within the housing 18. The power supply 40 is electrically coupled to the processor 22 and the power supply 40 is electrically coupled to a power source 42. The power source 42 may be an electrical power line, an electrical outlet or any other source of electrical power.

A spray unit 44 is provided and the spray unit 44 is buried beneath ground. The spray unit 44 is fluidly coupled to the heating unit 12. In this way the spray unit 44 receives the heated fluid 16 from the heating unit 12. The spray unit 44 includes a plurality of outlets 46 and each of the outlets 46 extends outwardly from the ground. Additionally, each of the outlets 46 is positioned adjacent to a traffic area 48. The traffic area 48 may be a sidewalk, a driveway or other traffic area 48. The spray unit 44 sprays the heated fluid 16 outwardly above the traffic area 48 thereby facilitating the heated fluid 16 to melt falling snow before the falling snow collects on the traffic area 48. In this way the spray unit 44 reduces a need to shovel or otherwise remove the snow from the traffic area 48.

The spray unit 44 includes a supply tube 50 that is buried beneath the ground. The supply tube 50 is fluidly coupled to the output 30 on the heat exchanger 26. In this way the supply tube 50 receives the heated fluid 16. A plurality of distribution tubes 52 is provided and each of the distribution tubes 52 is buried beneath the ground. Each of the distribution tubes 52 is fluidly coupled to the supply tube 50 to receive the heated fluid 16.

Each of the distribution tubes 52 has a distal end 54 with respect to the supply tube 50. The distal end 54 corresponding to each of the supply tubes 50 is directed upwardly from the ground. The supply tube 50 and each of the distribution tubes 52 may comprise a pre-existing sprinkler system or the like. Additionally, the supply tube 50 and each of the distribution tubes 52 may be installed in the ground when the heating unit 12 is installed.

A plurality of spray heads 56 is provided and each of the spray heads 56 is fluidly coupled to the distal end 54 corresponding to an associated one of the distribution tubes 52. In this way each of the spray heads 56 receives the heated fluid 16. Each of the spray heads 56 has a distal end 58 with respect to the associated distribution tube 52. The distal end 58 corresponding to each of the spray heads 56 is open to spray the heated fluid 16 into the air. Moreover, each of the spray heads 56 is aligned with the traffic area 48 to spray the heated fluid 16 over the traffic area 48. In this way the heated fluid 16 melts the snow falling over the traffic area 48 when the spray heads 56 sprays the heated fluid 16. Thus, the snow is inhibited from collecting on the traffic area 48. Each of the spray heads 56 may comprise a sprinkler head of any conventional design.

In use, the inlet on the heat exchanger 26 is fluidly coupled to the fluid source 14 and the power supply 40 is electrically coupled to the power source 42. Additionally, the output 30 on the heat exchanger 26 is fluidly coupled to the supply tube 50. The control 38 is manipulated to select the operational parameters of the processor 22. The processor 22 generates the heat sequence when the snow sensor 24 detects the snow. The processor 22 turns the heater 36 on to heat the fluid 16 in the heat exchanger 26 to the trigger temperature. The processor 22 opens the shut off valve 34 when the fluid 16 in the heat exchanger 26 s reaches the trigger temperature and the heated fluid 16 is sprayed outwardly from each of the spray heads 56.

The heated fluid 16 may be converted to steam when the ambient temperature surrounding the traffic area 48 is sufficiently cold enough to produce snow. The heat from the heated fluid 16 and steam is transferred to the falling snow. In this way the falling snow is melted before the falling snow lands on the traffic area 48. The shut off valve 34 remains open until the snow sensor 24 no longer detects that snow is falling.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. A snow melting assembly being configured to inhibit snow from collecting on a surface, said assembly comprising: a heating unit being configured to be fluidly coupled to a fluid source thereby facilitating a fluid to be delivered to said heating unit, said heating unit being in thermal communication with the fluid when the fluid is delivered to said heating unit wherein said heating unit is configured to heat the fluid above a pre-determined temperature; and a spray unit being configured to be buried beneath ground, said spray unit being fluidly coupled to said heating unit wherein said spray unit is configured to receive the heated fluid from said heating unit, said spray unit including a plurality of outlets, each of said outlets being configured to extend outwardly from the ground and being positioned adjacent to a traffic area, said spray unit being configured to spray the heated fluid outwardly above the traffic area thereby facilitating the heated fluid to melt falling snow before the falling snow collects on the traffic area, said spray unit comprising a supply tube being configured to be buried beneath the ground, said supply tube being configured to receive the heated fluid, a plurality of distribution tubes, each of said distribution tubes being configured to be buried beneath the ground, each of said distribution tubes being fluidly coupled to said supply tube wherein each of said distribution tubes is configured to receive the heated fluid, each of said distribution tubes having a distal end with respect to said supply tube, said distal end corresponding to each of said supply tubes being configured to be directed upwardly from the ground, and a plurality of spray heads, each of said spray heads being fluidly coupled to said distal end corresponding to an associated one of said distribution tubes wherein each of said spray heads is configured to receive the heated fluid, each of said spray heads having a distal end with respect to said associated distribution tube, said distal end corresponding to each of said spray heads being open wherein each of said spray heads is configured to spray the heated fluid into air, each of said spray heads being aligned with the traffic area wherein each of said spray heads is configured to spray the heated fluid over the traffic area thereby facilitating the heated fluid to melt the snow falling over the traffic area before the snow lands in the traffic area such that the snow is inhibited from collecting on the traffic area.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said heating unit comprising: a housing being configured to be positioned on a support surface; and a processor being positioned within said housing, said processor selectively generating a heat sequence and an off sequence.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a snow sensor being coupled to said housing wherein said snow sensor is configured to detect snow, said snow sensor being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor generating said heat sequence when said snow sensor detects snow.
 4. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a heat exchanger being positioned within said housing, said heat exchanger having an input and an output, said input being configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid source such that the fluid is urged through said heat exchanger and outwardly through said output.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a temperature sensor being positioned within said housing, said temperature sensor being electrically coupled to said processor, said temperature sensor being in thermal communication with said heat exchanger to detect a temperature of said heat exchanger, said processor selectively generating said off sequence when said temperature sensor detects a temperature of said heat exchanger has exceeded a trigger temperature.
 6. The assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a shut off valve being positioned within said housing, said shut off valve being electrically coupled to said processor, said shut off valve being fluidly coupled to said output of said heating exchanger wherein said shut off valve inhibits the fluid from flowing outwardly from said output when said processor generates said off sequence.
 7. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a control being coupled to said housing wherein said control is configured to be manipulated, said control being electrically coupled to said processor such that said control controls operational parameters of said processor.
 8. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a power supply being positioned within said housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor, said power supply being configured to be electrically coupled to a power source.
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 14. A snow melting assembly being configured to inhibit snow from collecting on a surface, said assembly comprising: a heating unit being configured to be fluidly coupled to a fluid source thereby facilitating a fluid to be delivered to said heating unit, said heating unit being in thermal communication with the fluid when the fluid is delivered to said heating unit wherein said heating unit is configured to heat the fluid above a pre-determined temperature, said heating unit comprising: a housing being configured to be positioned on a support surface, a processor being positioned within said housing, said processor selectively generating a heat sequence and an off sequence, a snow sensor being coupled to said housing wherein said snow sensor is configured to detect snow, said snow sensor being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor generating said heat sequence when said snow sensor detects snow, a heat exchanger being positioned within said housing, said heat exchanger having an input and an output, said input being configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid source such that the fluid is urged through said heat exchanger and outwardly through said output, a temperature sensor being positioned within said housing, said temperature sensor being electrically coupled to said processor, said temperature sensor being in thermal communication with said heat exchanger to detect a temperature of said heat exchanger, said processor selectively generating said off sequence when said temperature sensor detects a temperature of said heat exchanger has exceeded a trigger temperature, a shut off valve being positioned within said housing, said shut off valve being electrically coupled to said processor, said shut off valve being fluidly coupled to said output of said heating exchanger wherein said shut off valve inhibits the fluid from flowing outwardly from said output when said processor generates said off sequence, a heater being positioned within said housing, said heater being electrically coupled to said processor such that said processor turns said heater on when said processor generates said heat sequence, said heater being in thermal communication with said heat exchanger wherein said heater is configured to heat the fluid within said heat exchanger, said processor turning said heater off when said processor generates said off sequence, a control being coupled to said housing wherein said control is configured to be manipulated, said control being electrically coupled to said processor such that said control controls operational parameters of said processor, and a power supply being positioned within said housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor, said power supply being configured to be electrically coupled to a power source; and a spray unit being configured to be buried beneath ground, said spray unit being fluidly coupled to said heating unit wherein said spray unit is configured to receive the heated fluid from said heating unit, said spray unit including a plurality of outlets, each of said outlets being configured to extend outwardly from the ground and being positioned adjacent to a traffic area, said spray unit being configured to spray the heated fluid outwardly above the traffic area thereby facilitating the heated fluid to melt falling snow before the falling snow collects on the traffic area, said spray unit comprising: a supply tube being configured to be buried beneath the ground, said supply tube being fluidly coupled to said output on said heat exchanger wherein said supply tube is configured to receive the heated fluid, a plurality of distribution tubes, each of said distribution tubes being configured to be buried beneath the ground, each of said distribution tubes being fluidly coupled to said supply tube wherein each of said distribution tubes is configured to receive the heated fluid, each of said distribution tubes having a distal end with respect to said supply tube, said distal end corresponding to each of said supply tubes being configured to be directed upwardly from the ground, and a plurality of spray heads, each of said spray heads being fluidly coupled to said distal end corresponding to an associated one of said distribution tubes wherein each of said spray heads is configured to receive the heated fluid, each of said spray heads having a distal end with respect to said associated distribution tube, said distal end corresponding to each of said spray heads being open wherein each of said spray heads is configured to spray the heated fluid into air, each of said spray heads being aligned with the traffic area wherein each of said spray heads is configured to spray the heated fluid over the traffic area thereby facilitating the heated fluid to melt the snow falling over the traffic area before the snow lands in the traffic area such that the snow is inhibited from collecting on the traffic area. 